Sunday, March 18, 2012

Didn't we have a lovely timeThe day we had our Preview.A beautiful day, we had lunch on the wayAnd all for under a pound, you know! Around the back Kaz cuddled with JackAnd Su opened a bottle of ciderSinging a few of our favourite songsAs the workshops went around...

Yup it was Preview and Taster workshop day, yesterday. A big mahoosive thank you to all of those who came, saw, and partook in the frivolities. A glorious time was had by one and all.

and the lovely Kate and me. Joined in this piccie by the lovely Debra who is addicted to our place, lol.

Bezzie Su was there in charge of the refreshment tent. Don't panic the gorgeous Teresa and girlies had done all the baking, so there was nothing for Su to cremate.!

Sandra was rather taken with my new glasses.

Kaz got into the spirit of the occasion with a fifties frock and a bandanna. I stuck to a subtle little number of leopardskin and brothel creepers.

Even the customers are getting the bug. With a matching shirt here is the lovely Nicki, making her Art from the Heart debut in matching animal print.

You may recall that I was highly disappointed last week at the non arrival of a stuffed stag for my birthday, but I was trying to remain extremely optimistic that one may appear for Mothers Day.

Well the lovely Kaz brought me a belated birthday pressie. Can you guess what it is.???

Yes it is my very own stag for my living room. He wasn't quite what I was hoping for!! Mind you who would have expected that you could have a stag that actually sang Motown.?? Yes you heard me correctly, it only frikkin sings to me. It's mouth moves and it's antlers flap. It is frikkin hilarious. I have named him Archibald, very befitting I feel, and he will take pride of place in my 50's parlour.

The lovely Katie and her lovely assistant Bekah, were kept busy on the tills and filling the diary right up until we closed the doors at 5.30.

Kaz was so worn out that Su had to feed her profiteroles to keep her energy levels up for the drive home.

I was shattered and so retired to bed early with some vintage books to peruse and a small sherry. This early retiring resulted with me being awake at the crack of dawn, so I felt it only polite to go fondle my fabric bolts and play with my sewing machine. Well it would have seemed rude not to.!! don't you think?

So I am now half way through a new vintage pattern and a few mtrs of red telephone box material. Hopefully by the time I get back from the workshop I will still have the energy to finish it off. I really want to wear it on my next American excursion. Oh yes plenty of time, weeks, days even. What.???? Tuesday, ??? Aaargh that came round quickly. Oh well nor rest for the wicked eh.??

Here's today's outfit. Another vintage pattern in a modern tattoo material. And just love these red shoes.

Forgot to show you these the other week, my fabby vintage find of two Soulet oil paintings. Many people scoffed at them, but i buddy love them. If you have any of these lurking in your shed or loft, I can give them a wonderful home and save them from other peoples derision.!! Call it a public service if you like. tee hee.

If you thought I was barking you need to pay a visit to the wonderful blog of Helga Von Trollope. I have fallen in love with her and her wonderful outfits. She makes me look like your maiden aunt, which is quite a feat I can tell you, lol.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

....here at Art from the Heart's International Headquarters...!! and it's only Tuesday....

Okay then, it's been a busy 2 weeks....and we are all meeting ourselves coming back.

Yesterday saw the arrival of this....

which contained hundreds of these

and loads of these...

and loads and loads of these....

ooops sorry that was a different box, lol.

Mail order as you can imagine has been a whirlwind of activity with Our Ben and pretty parcel wrapper Ali practically disappearing under a mountain of parcels. Plus we have even more deliveries due any day. If you are waiting for something for us, we are working as fast as we can ( well obviously not me....how ridiculous..!!!) and orders are going out in the order that they were placed.

After a fabulous round of 6 days of teaching, it was time to say goodbye to the gorgeous and multi talented Dina Wakley, and life is slowly beginning to return to normal.

Although I was teaching all day Saturday, it was, in fact, my birthday... I had a lovely day. Bezzie Su made some gingerbread men which were absolutely gorgeous.

And the girlies dropped in to see me bearing gifts.

Princessa balloons, of course...

My lovely new Saturday girl, Bekah, made and decorated a cake which was just divine..

Think I must have been a bit emotional here, lol.

The girls brought boxes and boxes of cream cakes for everyone...I always snaffle the strawberry meringue.

Caught in the act.!!

I got more flowers than you could shake a stick at. Three bunches of lily's, red tulips, daffodils and a gorgeous bouquet.

We decided to have a little family portrait...can you spot the likeness.??

My boys, Our Ben and Our Tom and the lovely Katie, treated me to a teapot set from the one and only Cath Kidston.

and Mr Babe of Deliciousness is sorting me out with this courtesy of the lovely Candy from the USA.

Despite hints, nobody got me the much awaited paper mache deer, but I am holding out for Mothers Day next Sunday, just in case...!!

All excitement in the camp this morning when this parcel arrived. Oh okay then, only I got all excited...
Our Ben just said.." I presume that is for you.?"

Here's some of the contents. Oooooh rolls of fabric goodness...

All waiting to be made up into more of these little beauties..!!! You know...in my spare time..lol... And yes Kaz and Sandra, I haven't forgotten, you just haven't reminded me enough yet..,lol

Now I really must dash, I have projects to finish...and start.!!!...for the weekend's preview day. Our taster workshops are really filling up but I think we still have a few spaces left on the afternoon ones if you are quick.!!

I do hope you are coming to see us for our usual fun and frolics. Think I might do a prize for the best dressed person.. Tea dresses and bandanas are all the rage you know...

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

We are holding our next workshop preview day on Saturday 17th March 9-5pm. We will be previewing our latest workshops for April, May & June 2012. Workshop teachers include Dyan Reaveley, Kate Crane & Sandra Hall .

We will also be holding 4 taster workshops on the day taught by Dyan, Kate Crane, Sandra Hall & Kaz Hall. The workshops will run for one hour and will cost just £5. They were very popular last time, so make sure you get your place while you can!

The shop and studio will be open 9-5pm and you don't have to book on a class to attend. If you are already attending the GNPE, we are just a 5 min trip up the road - Pop in and see what we have to offer!